Howard Johnson
Howard Clare Johnson, 74, of Eau Claire, passed away Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Health System, in Eau Claire.
Howard was born July 8, 1943, in Eau Claire, to Clare and Evelyn (Ahneman) Johnson. He attended school in Elk Mound and Mondovi. His work path started at the Laverne and Beverly Ausman farm in Elk Mound, and Pleasant Valley Creamery in Cleghorn.
On July 18, 1964, Howard married his wife of 53 years, Donna Johnson. They began farming together in Drammen township until they purchased their own farm in 1969, in Pleasant Valley. They built a new barn in 1976, using the materials he logged and milled from the farm. Howard’s hard work and passion for agriculture earned him the Eau Claire County Outstanding Land Conservation Commission Cooperator in 1982, and he served three consecutive terms on the FSA Eau Claire County Conservation Board from 1997 to 2006.
Even though Howard’s health issues limited his mobility and ability to physically farm, his willpower and determination kept him actively engaged in farming and draft horses, through his entire life. There was always a smile on his face, front door opened wide with a cup of coffee and plate of sweets offered to friends and family stopping by.
Howard’s love of working with his hands showed in his pastime of woodworking. He spent endless hours building items that were lovingly given as gifts. He spent much of his last couple of years building his own casket.
He is survived by his wife, Donna; son, Tim (Linda) of Eau Claire; daughters, Susan (Jim) Poeschel of Mondovi, Cyndi (Ryan) Heath of Eleva; four grandchildren, Trent and Brooke Johnson, and Jessie (Brady) Tiffany of Mondovi, Kolton Heath; great-grandchild, Brantley Tiffany; brothers and sister, Arnold (Irene) of Altoona, Sharon (Joe) Hanson of Elk Mound, Bob (Karen) of Mondovi, Bill (Kathie) of Eleva, Allen (Donna) of Mondovi; sister-in-law, Shirley Baertsch of Portage; brother-in-law, Mike (Jackie) Johnson of Eau Claire; aunt, Pat Ahnemen of Eau Claire; father-in-law, Verlyn Kirchhoff of Eau Claire; step grandchildren, Laura (Mitch) Berger, Meghan (Trevor) Rud, Sophie (Nick) Volden; step great-grandchildren, Ian, Kamden, Kaylen, Colin, Paislee and Boone; many nephews, nieces and cousins.
Proceeding him in death were his parents; infant sister Janis, infant brother, sister, Betty; mother-in-law, Dolores Kirchhoff; father-in-law, Andrew Johnson; sister-in-law, Judy Johnson; brother-in-law, Rick Baertsch; nephew, Rev. David Johnson; half-brother and wife, Ken and Arlene Jerdee.
Funeral service were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Zion Lutheran Church, E3720 County Rd HH, Eleva, with Pastor Timothy Moe officiating. Burial was in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Cleghorn immediately following the funeral service.
Family and Friends may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.
Hulke Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701, assisted the family with arrangements.
